Samaritan's Purse Physician Battling Ebola in Grave Condition

Dr. Kent Brantly, the American Samaritan’s Purse doctor who has contracted the ebola virus while serving in Liberia, is in serious condition. Charisma News reports that Brantly’s illness has “worsened slightly” since July 28 when it was announced that the doctor had contracted the disease.

Samaritan’s Purse released a statement that Brantly is now in “stable but grave condition.” Brantly is continuing to undergo treatment, though there is no cure for ebola.

Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse President, said, "Yesterday, an experimental serum arrived in the country, but there was only enough for one person. Dr. Brantly asked that it be given to Nancy Writebol [another Samaritan’s Purse volunteer].

"However, Dr. Brantly received a unit of blood from a 14-year-old boy who had survived Ebola because of Dr. Brantly's care. The young boy and his family wanted to be able to help the doctor who saved his life."

The relief organization is evacuating all non-essential staff from the region to protect the volunteers. The Peace Corps is acting similarly, removing all volunteers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The virus has now killed over 700 people since the outbreak began in February.